The Seattle Seahawks weren't always the best team when it came to getting the most out of their picks in the first few rounds of the NFL Draft, with wide receiver Dee Eskridge standing out as one of the biggest misses of the Pete Carroll era.
Eskridge's time in Seattle lasted just three seasons, and he has since latched on with one of the league's most creative passing offenses in that of the Miami Dolphins. However, without an injury to someone ahead of him on the depth chart, Eskridge's only hope of lasting in the pros is proving himself as a returner.
Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are the top dogs, while free agent signing Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is coming off a career-best season. Eskridge will need to compete with fourth-round draft pick Erik Ezukanma, a pair of recent late-rounders in Malik Washington and Tahj Washington, and UDFA Theo Wease.
Former Seahawks WR Dee Eskridge may not make Dolphins roster
Eskridge benefited heavily from the shortened 2020 college football season. After topping 550 yards receiving just once in four prior years with Western Michigan, Eskridge recorded 780 yards and eight touchdowns in six game during his final season with the Broncos.
Eskridge was heralded as a prospect for his speed and explosiveness, but scouts were concerned by the lack of amazing route-running and middling production. Eskridge was expected to be picked in the middle rounds of the draft, but the Seahawks took an ill-fated gamble when they used a second-round pick on him.
Eskridge was immediately thrown behind DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett during his first two seasons in the pros, and the addition of Jaxon Smith-Njigba only made it even less likely that Eskridge was going to work his way into the starting lineup.
Eskridge finished with just 17 catches in his first two seasons, and he's added three catches with Miami. 20 career catches is incredibly disappointing for anyone picked in the first four rounds (let alone the second), and Eskridge isn't being given a great opportunity to strut his stuff in Miami.
Dolphins fans are realizing what Seahawks fans have known for years. The speed will always be there, but Eskridge lacks the refinement in the more technical areas of the game to become the quality starter many expected him to become.